Abstract: An industrial control and automation human machine interface (HMI) technology migration scheme is embodied in object management, graphics technologies, and namespace handlers for HMI applications. New features of the second technology are supported for HMI graphics while retaining the functionality of systems embodying the first technology, including the ability to export to the first technology, graphics developed and/or managed in the second technology. A combination of facilities is provided to accommodate both the first and second HMI graphics technologies: name space integration, graphics rendering integration, and HMI application management integration.

Abstract: An industrial control and automation human machine interface (HMI) technology migration scheme is embodied in object management, graphics technologies, and namespace handlers for HMI applications. New features of the second technology are supported for HMI graphics while retaining the functionality of systems embodying the first technology, including the ability to export to the first technology, graphics developed and/or managed in the second technology. A combination of facilities is provided to accommodate both the first and second HMI graphics technologies: name space integration, graphics rendering integration, and HMI application management integration.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for facilitating centralized management of human machine interface (HMI) components distributable across multiple nodes of the system. The system includes a centralized configuration storage for managing a set of HMI templates deployable to a set of remote nodes including HMI facilities. The deployed HMI instances are thereafter executed upon the remote nodes. An HMI application import utility receives HMI applications that are not in a form suitable for management in the centralized configuration storage facility. the import utility encapsulates the received HMI applications to render the HMI templates that are suitable for the centralized configuration storage facility.

Abstract: A tablet PC for industrial/manufacturing process control and data management is disclosed. The tablet PC includes one or more industrial/manufacturing process control and data management applications as well as a set of hardware/software capabilities including wireless network access, screen capture/annotation, electronic pen/stylus input, handwriting input panel and recognition, camera, data snapshot capture, email, barcode/RF reader, etc. The combination of enhancements to the software and hardware embodied within the disclosed tablet PC for industrial process control and data management provide a variety of new uses for a PC in an industrial environment.